pdf version - South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks

White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
Quick key characteristics: The white crappie is found in cool- to warmwater
habitats. Its scales are moderate in size and readily visible. It has two
dorsal fi ns that are joined and appear as one, one (in front) with sharp spines
instead of rays. It has six spines in the anal fi n and one in each pelvic fi n, a
large, upward-facing mouth that extends backward as far as the pupil of the
eye, its snout is pointed, and its body is much taller than wide.
Similar species in South Dakota: black crappie
Identifi cation: A shorter dorsal fi n with six or fewer spines and presence
of dark vertical bars on sides distinguish the white crappie from the black
crappie.
Range: The white crappie is native to river basins that fl ow into the Gulf of
Mexico and the southern Great Lakes. In South Dakota, it is native to waters
of the Minnesota and Big Sioux river basins, but has been widely introduced
elsewhere. It is often abundant in ponds, lakes, and impoundments and
somewhat tolerant of turbidity and warmer water.
Items of interest:
• Feeds on plankton, crustaceans, insects and fi shes
• May reach high population densities that stunt growth, especially in
absence of larger predators
• Males construct nests and guard the
eggs and hatchlings
• Breeding males may be relatively
dark in coloration, resembling black
crappie
• Popular sport fi sh
• Can exceed 15 in. and 3 lbs.
57